Some of the most popular composers of the twentieth century are gathered here for a concert that celebrates the lovely light of spring and insults winter. Politely, of course. The musicians and singers get to demonstrate their strength at this concert in radiant works at the border between Romanticism and Modernism.
Wilhelm Stenhammar’s significance to the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra cannot be overstated. His elegant Spring Night for choir and piano is a jewel, while the String Quartet in F-minor reminds us of his importance to Sweden’s entire cultural scene. He visited remote Swedish towns and performed in a quartet with his friend Tor Aulin.
The music of Neoclassical composer Jean Françaix is lovely and light. Mystical, delicate spring blossoms have their own music in a three-part women’s choir by André Caplet.
Both Lili Boulanger (in her much too short life) and Francis Poulenc enjoyed composing for choir, but Debussy has only one work: a Triptych, with two parts love and one part anger at winter weather.
